Extension tube for vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner unit

ABSTRACT

An extension pipe ( 30 ) is configured to allow a suction tool ( 70 ) to be connected to one end side in a pipe axis direction and a vacuum cleaner main body ( 10 ) to be connected to another end. The extension pipe ( 30 ) includes a power-receiving portion ( 36 ) configured to receive and supply electric power to be fed to a battery ( 17   a ) provided to the vacuum cleaner main body ( 10 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an extension pipe for an electric vacuum cleaner and to an electric vacuum cleaner unit.

BACKGROUND ART

Hitherto, there has been provided a vacuum cleaner system as disclosed in Patent Literature 1. This vacuum cleaner system includes a vacuum cleaner and a support device that supports the vacuum cleaner. Further, the vacuum cleaner of this vacuum cleaner system includes a main body, a suction tool, and a pipe body. The main body has a handle. The suction tool sucks dust. The pipe body connects the main body and the suction tool. The support device includes a support body. This vacuum cleaner system is configured so that a front side of the suction tool is located at a position closer to the support body than a rear side under a state in which the vacuum cleaner is supported by the support device.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[PTL 1] JP 2019-162232 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

There has been provided a vacuum cleaner that can charge a battery provided to a vacuum cleaner main body in the following manner like the vacuum cleaner as disclosed in Patent Literature 1. Specifically, when the vacuum cleaner is connected to a power source through intermediation of a current conducting portion, such as a current conducting terminal or a jack provided to the vacuum cleaner main body, the battery provided to the vacuum cleaner main body can be charged. With such a configuration, however, the current conducting portion provided to the vacuum cleaner main body, which is more likely to be gripped or touched by a user, may generate static electricity. Thus, there arises a problem (hereinafter referred to as “first problem” for convenience) in that attention is needed for arrangement of the current conducting portion or other members and measures against static electricity should be additionally taken.

Meanwhile, the vacuum cleaner system as disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is configured to charge the vacuum cleaner with use of the support device that supports the vacuum cleaner. A connection terminal is provided to the vacuum cleaner main body, and thus the support device is required to be designed so that a feeding terminal to be connected to the connection terminal is aligned in height with a position of the connection terminal. As described above, when the vacuum cleaner is charged with use of the support device, there arises a problem (hereinafter referred to as “second problem” for convenience) in that the support device is increased in size.

Accordingly, the present invention has an object to provide an extension pipe for an electric vacuum cleaner, which enables power feeding from a position different from a position in a vacuum cleaner main body. Further, the present invention has an object to provide an electric vacuum cleaner unit that enables downsizing of a charging stand.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the first problem described above, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an extension pipe for an electric vacuum cleaner, the extension pipe being configured to allow a suction tool having a suction port for sucking dust to be connected to one end side in a pipe axis direction and a vacuum cleaner main body to be connected to another end side in the pipe axis direction, the extension pipe including: a power-receiving portion configured to receive and supply electric power to be fed to a battery provided to the vacuum cleaner main body, wherein the power-receiving portion includes: a first current conducting portion to be connected to the vacuum cleaner main body on the another end side in the pipe axis direction; a second current conducting portion provided closer to the one end side in the pipe axis direction than the first current conducting portion; and a power-receiving line configured to electrically connect the first current conducting portion and the second current conducting portion.

The extension pipe for an electric vacuum cleaner in the embodiment of the present invention includes the power-receiving portion that receives and supplies electric power to be fed to the battery provided to the vacuum cleaner main body. Further, in the extension pipe for an electric vacuum cleaner in the embodiment of the present invention, the first current conducting portion is connected to the vacuum cleaner main body on another end side in the pipe axis direction, and the second current conducting portion is provided so as to be closer to one end side in the pipe axis direction than the first current conducting portion. Electric power can be fed to the battery via the power-receiving line. Thus, with the extension pipe for an electric vacuum cleaner in the embodiment of the present invention, electric power can be fed to the battery from the second current conducting portion, which is located at a position different from a position in the vacuum cleaner main body.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electric vacuum cleaner unit, including: a vacuum cleaner main body including a battery; a suction tool having a suction port for sucking dust; the extension pipe described above; and a charging stand including a third current conducting portion and a charging mechanism configured to charge the battery, wherein the charging stand includes: a placement portion configured to allow the suction tool to be placed thereon; and a support column portion that is configured to support the extension pipe and is to be engaged with the extension pipe, wherein, under a state in which the support column portion supports the extension pipe and is engaged with the extension pipe, the third current conducting portion and the second current conducting portion are electrically connected to cause the charging mechanism to feed electric power from the third current conducting portion to the second current conducting portion so as to charge the battery.

Further, the electric vacuum cleaner unit in the embodiment of the present invention is provided to solve the second problem different from the above-mentioned first problem as a main problem. Specifically, in the vacuum cleaner system as disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the connection terminal is provided to the vacuum cleaner main body. Thus, it is required that the charging stand be designed so that the feeding terminal to be connected to the connection terminal is aligned in height with the position of the connection terminal. As a result, there arises a problem in that the charging stand is increased in size.

In order to solve the second problem, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electric vacuum cleaner unit, including: a vacuum cleaner main body including a battery; a suction tool having a suction port for sucking dust; the extension pipe described above; and a charging stand including a third current conducting portion and a charging mechanism configured to charge the battery, wherein the charging stand includes: a placement portion configured to allow the suction tool to be placed thereon; and a support column portion that is configured to support the extension pipe and is to be engaged with the extension pipe, wherein, under a state in which the support column portion supports the extension pipe and is engaged with the extension pipe, the third current conducting portion and the second current conducting portion are electrically connected to cause the charging mechanism to feed electric power from the third current conducting portion to the second current conducting portion so as to charge the battery.

As described above, when the extension pipe is supported by and engaged with the support column portion of the charging stand, the second current conducting portion of the extension pipe and the third current conducting portion of the charging stand can be electrically connected to cause the charging mechanism to perform power feeding so as to charge the battery. Thus, the electric vacuum cleaner unit in the embodiment of the present invention allows the third current conducting portion to be provided to the charging stand in alignment with the second current conducting portion provided at a position lower than the position of the vacuum cleaner main body. As a result, the charging stand can be reduced in size.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, the extension pipe for an electric vacuum cleaner, which enables power feeding from the position different from the position in the vacuum cleaner main body can be provided. Further, according to the present invention, the electric vacuum cleaner unit that enables downsizing of the charging stand can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an electric vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view for illustrating a suction tool of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 with a top surface side of a case body removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a charging stand of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an extension pipe of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of another end side of the extension pipe of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in a pipe axis direction.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one end side of the extension pipe of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in the pipe axis direction with a front-side cover portion removed.

FIG. 7 is a front view for illustrating a state in which the front-side cover portion of the extension pipe of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 is removed.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of one end side of the extension pipe of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in the pipe axis direction.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the extension pipe of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 when intersecting-direction routing portions and the vicinity thereof are viewed in cross section.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view for illustrating a state in which the extension pipe of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 is viewed from one end side in the pipe axis direction.

FIG. 11 is a back view for illustrating an arrangement portion and the vicinity thereof on one end side of the extension pipe of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in the pipe axis direction.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view for illustrating a power-receiving portion and a power-feeding portion that are provided to the extension pipe of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a support column portion of the charging stand of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 14 is an enlarged plan view of the support column portion of the charging stand of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view for schematically illustrating a configuration of an extension pipe including a second current conducting portion according to a modification example and a charging stand including a third current conducting portion according to the modification example.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Now, an electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, after an outline of an overall configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 is described, main parts are described further in detail. In the following description, a positional relationship in, for example, an up-and-down direction or a width direction is described based on a standing state of the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 as a reference unless otherwise noted.

<<Overall Configuration of Electric Vacuum Cleaner Unit 1>>

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 is a vacuum cleaner having a stick-like (upright) appearance. The electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 can be, for example, an electric vacuum cleaner unit which is rechargeable or obtains electric power from an external power source via a power cord. The electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 includes a vacuum cleaner main body 10, a dust collecting portion 20 (dust collecting device), an extension pipe 30 (pipe portion), a suction tool 70, and a charging stand 90.

The vacuum cleaner main body 10 forms a main body of the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 and fulfills a function of collecting dust with suction power. Specifically, the vacuum cleaner main body 10 includes a drive circuit for driving an electric fan 14 and other electronic components and other components inside a main body case 12 that forms a casing. The electric fan 14 sucks air to generate an air stream.

Further, the vacuum cleaner main body 10 includes a grip portion 16. The grip portion 16 is a portion provided so as to allow a user of the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 to grip the vacuum cleaner main body 10. Specifically, the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 is configured to allow a user to grip the vacuum cleaner main body 10 by, for example, insertion of fingers of the user except for a thumb into an opening portion defined by the grip portion 16. More specifically, a battery portion 17 in which a battery 17 a is arranged is provided on one end side of the vacuum cleaner main body 10. One end of the grip portion 16 is connected to the battery portion 17. The grip portion 16 extends in a direction away from the battery portion 17 and has another end that is connected to a side in front of the electric fan 14.

The dust collecting portion 20 is a portion in which dust and debris sucked by the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 are collected. The dust collecting portion 20 may be of cyclone type or may use a paper bag. The dust collecting portion 20 is provided so as to be continuous with the vacuum cleaner main body 10. The extension pipe 30 or the suction tool 70 can be connected to a lower end side extending along the dust collecting portion 20.

The extension pipe 30 is a cylindrical member that removably connects the vacuum cleaner main body 10 and the suction tool 70. The extension pipe 30 has one end that is shaped so as to be insertable into a pipe connecting portion 22 and another end that is shaped so as to be connectable to the suction tool 70. When the vacuum cleaner main body 10 and the suction tool 70 are connected through intermediation of the extension pipe 30, a series of passages (air passages) can be defined. The passages communicate with each other and extend from the suction tool 70 to the vacuum cleaner main body 10. The extension pipe 30 is a characteristic part in the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1, and thus configurations of portions thereof are described later in detail.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the suction tool 70 includes a case body 72 and a joint portion 74. Further, the suction tool 70 has a suction port 73 in a bottom portion of the casing body 72. The suction tool 70 also includes members such as a rotary cleaning body 76, a rotary-body driving device 77, and a cleaning-body driving mechanism 78 inside the casing body 72. The suction tool 70 supplies electric power supplied from the battery 17 a to the rotary-body driving device 77 including, for example, a motor via suction-tool connection terminals 75 a and 75 b so as to drive the rotary-body driving device 77. Motive power generated by the rotary-body driving device 77 is transmitted to the rotary cleaning body 76 through intermediation of the cleaning-body driving mechanism 78. As a result, the rotary cleaning body 76 is driven to rotate. The case body 72 is a portion to be brought into contact with a floor at the time of cleaning and has an elongated shape in the right-and-left direction with respect to the front-and-back direction in which an operation is performed by a user at the time of cleaning. A suction space for sucking air and dust from an outside, which has an opening end on a floor surface side, is defined inside the casing body 72. Further, the joint portion 74 is attached to the casing body 72 so as to be rotatable within a predetermined rotation range (in the front-and-back direction and the right-and-left direction). The joint portion 74 is a portion to which an end portion of the extension pipe 30 described above is connected. The joint portion 74 has a cylindrical shape and has an internal space communicating with the suction space. When the joint portion 74 is placed in an upright posture, the joint portion 74 is fitted into the case body 72.

The charging stand 90 can charge the battery 17 a when the vacuum cleaner main body 10 is placed thereon with the extension pipe 30 and the suction tool 70 attached to the vacuum cleaner main body 10. The charging stand 90 includes a placement portion 94 and a support column portion 96. The placement portion 94 allows the suction tool 70 to be placed thereon. The support column portion 96 supports the extension pipe 30. The charging stand 90 is a characteristic part in the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1, and thus configurations of portions thereof are described later in detail.

The electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 substantially has the configuration described above. The electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 has features in the extension pipe 30 and the charging stand 90. Now, structures of the parts and portions of the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 are described further in detail.

<<Extension Pipe 30>>

The extension pipe 30 is a pipe body for an electric vacuum cleaner. As described above, the suction tool 70 is connected to one end side of the extension pipe 30 in the pipe axis direction, and the vacuum cleaner main body 10 is connected to another end side in the pipe axis direction. The extension pipe 30 has an overall appearance as illustrated in FIG. 4 and includes portions, each having a characteristic configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 5 to FIG. 12 . As illustrated in FIG. 4 to FIG. 12 , the extension pipe 30 includes a pipe portion 32, a cover portion 34, a power-receiving portion 36 (see FIG. 12 ), a power-feeding portion 38 (see FIG. 12 ), and an arrangement portion 40.

The pipe portion 32 is a pipe that defines an air passage from the suction tool 70 to the vacuum cleaner main body 10. The pipe portion 32 is formed of a hollow cylinder extending substantially linearly from one end side (connection side with the suction tool 70) in the pipe axis direction toward another end side (connection side with the vacuum cleaner main body 10) in the pipe axis direction. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the pipe portion 32 has a radially expanded portion 32 a on one end side in the pipe axis direction. The radially expanded portion 32 a is radially expanded through a step portion 32 b. As a result, the joint portion 74 of the suction tool 70 can be inserted into the radially expanded portion 32 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , the cover portion 34 includes a front-side cover portion 34 a and a back-side cover portion 34 b. The front-side cover portion 34 a is mounted on a front side of the pipe portion 32 under a state in which the pipe portion 32 is connected to the vacuum cleaner main body 10. The front-side cover portion 34 a is mounted so as to extend from one end side in the pipe axis direction to another end side in the pipe axis direction. The back-side cover portion 34 b serves as a back side of the pipe portion 32 under a state in which the pipe portion 32 is connected to the vacuum cleaner main body 10. The back-side cover portion 34 b is one end side (connection side with the suction tool 70) portion of the extension pipe 30 in the pipe axis direction. The back-side cover portion 34 b is a part of (component integrated with) the pipe portion 32. However, the back-side cover portion 34 b may be configured to be mounted onto the pipe portion 32 and be integrated with the pipe portion 32 when combined with the front-side cover portion 34 a.

Further, a routing portion 33 is defined between an outer peripheral surface of the pipe portion 32 and an inner peripheral surface of the cover portion 34. As illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 , the routing portion 33 is a space to be used for routing of power-receiving lines 46 and power-feeding lines 56, which are described later in detail. The routing portion 33 includes a pipe axis-direction routing portion 33 a and intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b (communicating portions). The pipe axis-direction routing portion 33 a is a space for arrangement of the power-receiving lines 46 and the power-feeding lines 56 in the pipe axis direction of the pipe portion 32 between the pipe portion 32 and the front-side cover portion 34 a. Further, the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b are spaces for arrangement of the power-receiving lines 46 and communicate with each other in a direction that intersects with the pipe axis direction. The intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b may be defined by, for example, forming through holes or grooves in at least one of the pipe portion 32 or the cover portion 34. In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6 , FIG. 7 , and FIG. 9 , the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b are defined as spaces formed between the pipe portion 32 and the cover portion 34 at a position on another end side (the vacuum cleaner main body 10 side) in the pipe axis direction with respect to a position of the step portion 32 b on the pipe portion 32. Further, the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b are formed so as to be continuous with or communicate with the pipe axis-direction routing portion 33 a. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 , the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b are defined inside the back-side cover portion 34 b, and communication holes 33 c are formed in the back-side cover portion 34 b. As a result, the power-receiving lines 46 can be led from the front side of the pipe portion 32 to the back side (the arrangement portion 40 side). In other words, the communication holes 33 c are formed in the back-side cover portion 33 b at positions opposed to the arrangement portion 40 described later in detail.

The power-receiving portion 36 is provided so as to receive electric power supply for charging the battery 17 a provided to the vacuum cleaner main body 10 described above. As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the power-receiving portion 36 includes a first current conducting portion 42, a second current conducting portion 44, and the power-receiving lines 46.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 , the first current conducting portion 42 is provided on another end side (connection side with the vacuum cleaner main body 10) of the extension pipe 30 in the pipe axis direction. The first current conducting portion 42 includes first terminals 42 a and 42 b. The first terminals 42 a and 42 b are held between or covered with the pipe portion 32 and the front-side cover portion 34 a. The first terminals 42 a and 42 b are provided so as to correspond to connection terminals (not shown) that are electrically connected to the battery 17 a on the vacuum cleaner main body 10 side. When the extension pipe 30 is connected to the vacuum cleaner main body 10, the first terminals 42 a and 42 b can be electrically connected to the connection terminals on the vacuum cleaner main body 10 side. The first terminals 42 a and 42 b may be any terminals as long as the terminals can be electrically connected to the terminals on the vacuum cleaner main body 10 side. In this embodiment, male terminals are used as the first terminals 42 a and 42 b, and female terminals are used as the connection terminals on the vacuum cleaner main body 10 side.

As illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 11 , the second current conducting portion 44 is provided so as to be closer to one end side (connection side with the suction tool 70) of the extension pipe 30 in the pipe axis direction than the first current conducting portion 42. The second current conducting portion 44 is connected to a third current conducting portion 98 provided to the charging stand 90 described later in detail. The second current conducting portion 44 includes second terminals 44 a and 44 b. The second terminals 44 a and 44 b are provided so as to correspond to the first terminals 42 a and 42 b, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the second terminals 44 a and 44 b are provided to the power-receiving lines 46 that are led out to an outside of the cover portion 34 through the communication holes 33 c formed in the back-side cover portion 34 b. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 11 , the second terminals 44 a and 44 b are provided inside the arrangement portion 40 described later in detail. The second terminals 44 a and 44 b may be any terminals as long as the terminals can be electrically connected to terminals of the third current conducting portion 98 provided to the charging stand 90 described later in detail. In this embodiment, male terminals are used as the connection terminals of the charging stand 90, and thus female terminals are used as the second terminals 44 a and 44 b.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the power-receiving lines 46 are wirings for electrically connecting the first current conducting portion 42 and the second current conducting portion 44. In this embodiment, power-receiving lines 46 a and 46 b are provided so as to correspond to the first terminals 42 a and 42 b provided as the first current conducting portion 42 and the second terminals 44 a and 44 b provided as the second current conducting portion 44. The power-receiving line 46 a connects the first terminal 42 a and the second terminal 44 a, and the power-receiving line 46 b connects the first terminal 42 b and the second terminal 44 b. The power-receiving lines 46 (46 a and 46 b) are arranged in the routing portion 33. Specifically, the power-receiving lines 46 are routed in the pipe axis direction from the first current conducting portion 42 inside the pipe axis-direction routing portion 33 a, and are routed in a direction that intersects with the pipe axis direction inside the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b.

The power-feeding portion 38 is provided so as to feed electric power from the battery 17 a provided to the vacuum cleaner main body 10 to the suction tool 70. The power-feeding portion 38 has substantially the same configuration as that of the power-receiving portion 36. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 12 , the power-feeding portion 38 includes a fourth current conducting portion 52, a fifth current conducting portion 54, and the power-feeding lines 56.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 , similarly to the first current conducting portion 42 described above, the fourth current conducting portion 52 is provided on another end side (connection side with the vacuum cleaner main body 10) of the extension pipe 30 in the pipe axis direction. The fourth current conducting portion 52 includes fourth terminals 52 a and 52 b. The fourth terminals 52 a and 52 b are held between or covered with the pipe portion 32 and the front-side cover portion 34 a. The fourth terminals 52 a and 52 b are provided so as to correspond to connection terminals (not shown) for power feeding (for electric power output) that are electrically connected to the battery 17 a on the vacuum cleaner main body 10 side. The fourth terminals 52 a and 52 b can be electrically connected to the connection terminals on the vacuum cleaner main body 10 side by connecting the extension pipe 30 to the vacuum cleaner main body 10. The fourth terminals 52 a and 52 b may be any terminals as long as the terminals can be electrically connected to the terminals on the vacuum cleaner main body 10 side. In this embodiment, male terminals are used as the fourth terminals 52 a and 52 b, and female terminals are used as the connection terminals on the vacuum cleaner main body 10 side.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 , FIG. 7 , and FIG. 10 , the fifth current conducting portion 54 is provided so as to be closer to one end side (connection side with the suction tool 70) of the extension pipe 30 in the pipe axis direction than the fourth current conducting portion 52. The fifth current conducting portion 54 is connected to connection terminals provided to the suction tool 70 so as to feed electric power to electrical components of the suction tool 70. Such electrical components include, for example, the rotary-body driving device 77 and a control unit (control board) for controlling the rotary-body driving device 77. The fifth current conducting portion 54 includes fifth terminals 54 a and 54 b. The fifth terminals 54 a and 54 b are fixed in the arrangement portion having a groove shape, which is provided on the front side of the pipe portion 32. The fifth terminals 54 a and 54 b are provided so as to correspond to the fourth terminals 52 a and 52 b, respectively. Unlike the second terminals 44 a and 44 b described above, the fifth terminals 54 a and 54 b are provided at positions that enable electrical connection to the connection terminals (suction-tool connection terminals 75 a and 75 b) on the suction tool 70 side by connecting the suction tool 70 to the extension pipe 30. In this embodiment, male terminals are used as the connection terminals provided to the suction tool 70, and thus the fifth terminals 54 a and 54 b are female terminals.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the power-feeding lines 56 are wirings that electrically connect the fourth current conducting portion 52 and the fifth current conducting portion 54. In this embodiment, power-feeding lines 56 a and 56 b are provided so as to correspond to the fourth terminals 52 a and 52 b provided as the fourth current conducting portion 52 and the fifth terminals 54 a and 54 b provided as the fifth current conducting portion 54. The power-feeding line 56 a connects the fourth terminal 52 a and the fifth terminal 54 a to each other, and the power-feeding line 56 b connects the fourth terminal 52 b and the fifth terminal 54 b to each other. The power-feeding lines 56 (56 a and 56 b) are arranged in the routing portion 33. Specifically, the power-feeding lines 56 are routed so as to extend in the pipe axis direction from the fourth current conducting portion 52 inside the pipe axis-direction routing portion 33 a and reach the fifth current conducting portion 54.

As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 4 , FIG. 6 , and FIG. 10 , the arrangement portion 40 is provided on the back side of the extension pipe 30. In the arrangement portion 40, the second terminals 44 a and 44 b of the second current conducting portion 44 described above are arranged. Thus, the arrangement portion 40 is provided at a position corresponding to the communication holes 33 c formed in the back side of the extension pipe 30. Specifically, the arrangement portion 40 is provided at a position on one end side (connection side with the suction tool 70) of the extension pipe 30 in the pipe axis direction. Further, when engaged with the support column portion 96 of the charging stand 90 described later in detail, the arrangement portion 40 can form an engagement structure.

The arrangement portion 40 includes a receiving portion 60 that is provided so as to protrude toward the back side of the extension pipe 30. The arrangement portion 40 includes the second terminals 44 a and 44 b arranged inside the receiving portion 60. The receiving portion 60 is hollow and has a first opening portion 62 being open on one end side (connection side with the suction tool 70) in the pipe axis direction. Thus, when a first protruding portion 110 formed on the support column portion 96 of the charging stand 90 is inserted into the receiving portion 60 through the first opening portion 62, the arrangement portion 40 allows the extension pipe 30 to be engaged with the support column portion 96 of the charging stand 90. Specifically, the arrangement portion 40 has not only a function of allowing the second current conducting portion 44 to be arranged therein but also a function as an engaged portion to allow the extension pipe 30 to be engaged with the support column portion 96.

Further, the arrangement portion 40 has a second opening portion 64 formed in an abutment surface 60 a. The abutment surface 60 a is located on a side opposed to the support column portion 96 under a state in which the arrangement portion 40 is engaged with the support column portion 96 of the charging stand 90. The second opening portion 64 is an opening that allows the third current conducting portion 98 provided to the charging stand 90 to be connected to the second current conducting portion 44 arranged inside the receiving portion 60.

The arrangement portion 40 has terminal openings 66 in a surface (surface opposed to the surface having the second opening portion 64) of the extension pipe 30 on the back side. The terminal openings 66 are openings that allow third terminals 98 a and 98 b of the third current conducting portion 98 described later to be inserted into and removed from the second terminals 44 a and 44 b of the second current conducting portion 44. The terminal openings 66 are open on one end side (connection side with the suction tool 70) in the pipe axis direction and the second opening portion 64 side. Thus, the third terminals 98 a and 98 b are inserted into the terminal openings 66 on one side in the pipe axis direction, and the third terminals 98 a and 98 b are fixed on the second opening portion 64 side of the terminal openings 66.

<<Charging Stand 90>>

The electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 includes the charging stand 90 also having a characteristic configuration so as to correspond to the extension pipe 30 described above. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the charging stand 90 includes the third current conducting portion 98 and a charging mechanism 100 that are provided in the placement portion 94 and the support column portion 96. The placement portion 94 and the support column portion 96 form a charging stand main body 92.

The placement portion 94 is a portion serving as a seat for placement of the suction tool 70 thereon. The placement portion 94 has a stopper 102 on a front side. The stopper 102 is formed so as to protrude upward from a top surface of the placement portion 94. Further, the stopper 102 is formed so as to extend in a width direction of the placement portion 94. Thus, the stopper 102 can position the suction tool 70 placed on the top surface of the placement portion 94 so that the suction tool 70 does not move toward the front side over the stopper 102.

The support column portion 96 is a support column-shaped portion that is provided on a back side (side opposite to the stopper 102) of the placement portion 94 so as to extend vertically in the up-and-down direction. The support column portion 96 is a portion that is engaged with and supports the extension pipe 30 that is connected to the suction tool 70 placed on the placement portion 94. Specifically, when the receiving portion 60 that defines the arrangement portion 40 of the extension pipe 30 is engaged with an engagement portion 104 formed on an upper end side of the support column portion 96, the support column portion 96 can support the extension pipe 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 , the engagement portion 104 has four protruding portions including the first protruding portion 110, second protruding portions 112, a third protruding portion 114, and fourth protruding portions 116. The first protruding portion 110 is a protrusion-shaped portion that is formed so as to extend in the width direction on the front side of the support column portion 96. The first protruding portion 110 is a portion to be inserted into the receiving portion 60 through the first opening portion 62 formed in the extension pipe 30 described above. The second protruding portions 112 are formed inside a space 120 so as to be opposed to the first protruding portion 110 at a predetermined distance away therefrom. The space 120 is open on a front side and a top surface side at the upper end of the support column portion 96. The third protruding portion 114 is a protrusion-shaped portion that is arranged so as to intersect with the first protruding portion 110. Similarly to the second protruding portions 112, the third protruding portion 114 is arranged inside the space 120. Further, the first protruding portion 110 and the third protruding portion 114 may be separate from each other. In this embodiment, however, the third protruding portion 114 is coupled to the first protruding portion 110 at an intermediate portion of the first protruding portion 110 in a width direction. Thus, the first protruding portion 110 and the third protruding portion 114 are formed to have a substantially T shape in plan view. Further, the fourth protruding portions 116 are formed on a surface of the first protruding portion 110, which faces the space 120, so as to protrude inwardly into the space 120. The fourth protruding portions 116 are formed at positions opposed to the second protruding portions 112.

The space 120 is a portion in which the second protruding portions 112 and the third protruding portion 114 are arranged. An edge portion of the space 120 on an upper end side has a chamfered portion 120 a that is chamfered to have, for example, a tapered shape so as to facilitate the insertion of the receiving portion 60 provided to the extension pipe 30. Further, an opening width of the space 120 on the front side is set equal to or larger than a width of the receiving portion 60 provided to the extension pipe 30. Further, a width of the third protruding portion 114 described above is set equal to or smaller than a width of the second opening portion 64 formed in the receiving portion 60 of the extension pipe 30. Further, the second protruding portions 112 are formed on both sides of the third protruding portion 114 in the width direction. Thus, when the receiving portion 60 of the extension pipe 30 is inserted toward the space 120, the abutment surface 60 a of the receiving portion 60 is moved into a space between the first protruding portion 110 and the second protruding portion 112, and the third protruding portion 114 is moved into the second opening portion 64 formed in the abutment surface 60 a. As a result, the receiving portion 60 provided to the extension pipe 30 and the engagement portion 104 provided to the support column portion 96 are brought into an engaged state.

The third current conducting portion 98 includes the third terminals 98 a and 98 b. The third terminals 98 a and 98 b are blade-shaped terminals. Each of the third terminals 98 a and 98 b intersects with the first protruding portion 110 described above and is formed so as to protrude more toward the front side than the first protruding portion 110. The third terminals 98 a and 98 b are arranged so as to be bilaterally symmetric with respect to the third protruding portion 114 when the first protruding portion 110 is viewed from the front side. Further, the third terminals 98 a and 98 b are provided so as to be closer to a center (the third protruding portion 114 side) in the width direction than positions at which the second protruding portions 112 and the fourth protruding portions 116 are formed. The third terminals 98 a and 98 b are connected to the charging mechanism 100.

The charging mechanism 100 supplies electric power supplied from an external power source to the third current conducting portion 98. A control board and other components of the charging mechanism 100 are built in the charging stand main body 92 (for example, the placement portion 94 and the support column portion 96) of the charging stand 90.

<<Characteristic Configurations and Effects of Electric Vacuum Cleaner Unit 1 and Extension Pipe 30>>

Subsequently, characteristic configurations and effects of the configurations are described for the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 and the extension pipe 30, which have been described above.

(1) The extension pipe 30 according to this embodiment is configured to allow the suction tool 70 having the suction port 73 for sucking dust to be connected to one end side in the pipe axis direction and the vacuum cleaner main body 10 to be connected to another end side in the pipe axis direction. The extension pipe 30 includes the power-receiving portion 36 configured to receive and supply electric power to be fed to the battery 17 a provided to the vacuum cleaner main body 10. The power-receiving portion 36 includes: the receiving-side first current conducting portion 42 configured to allow the power-receiving portion 36 to feed electric power to the battery 17 a provided to the vacuum cleaner main body 10 on the another end side in the pipe axis direction; the second current conducting portion 44 provided on the another side than the one end side in the pipe axis direction; and the power-receiving line 46 configured to electrically connect the first current conducting portion 42 and the second current conducting portion 44.

The extension pipe 30 described above includes the power-receiving portion 36 that receives and supplies electric power to be fed to the battery 17 a provided to the vacuum cleaner main body 10. Further, when the first current conducting portion 42 is connected to the battery 17 a provided to the vacuum cleaner main body 10 on another end side in the pipe axis direction, the extension pipe 30 can feed electric power to the battery 17 a via the power-receiving lines 46 from the second current conducting portion 44 that is provided so as to be closer to one end in the pipe axis direction than the first current conducting portion 42. Thus, the above-mentioned extension pipe 30 enables power feeding to the battery 17 a from the second current conducting portion 44 provided at a position different from a position in the vacuum cleaner main body 10.

Further, with the above-mentioned configuration, the current conducting portions are not provided to the vacuum cleaner main body that is more likely to be held or touched by a user. As a result, generation of static electricity can be suppressed.

(2) The extension pipe 30 according to this embodiment further includes: the pipe portion 32 configured to define an air passage; and the cover portion 34 configured to define, in cooperation with the pipe portion 32, the space for arrangement of the power-receiving line 46. The extension pipe according to this embodiment further includes the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b (communicating portions) that communicate with each other in the direction that intersects with the pipe axis direction in the pipe portion 32, in the cover portion 34, or between the pipe portion 32 and the cover portion 34. The power-receiving line 46 is routed through the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b to electrically connect the first current conducting portion 42 and the second current conducting portion 44.

The above-mentioned configuration allows the power-receiving lines 46 to be routed not only in the pipe axis direction of the extension pipe 30 but also in the direction that intersects with the pipe axis direction through the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b. Thus, the above-mentioned configuration improves the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the second current conducting portion 44 with respect to the first current conducting portion 42. Further, for example, in a case in which the second current conducting portion 44 is provided to the back-side cover portion 34 b, the second current conducting portion 44 can be concealed by the pipe portion 32 when viewed from the front side. Thus, designability can be improved.

In this embodiment, there has been described an example in which the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b pass between the pipe portion 32 and the cover portion 34 and communicate with each other in the direction that intersects with the pipe axis direction. However, the present invention is not limited to the example described above. Specifically, the extension pipe 30 may have, for example, a through hole or a groove formed in at least one of the pipe portion 32 or the cover portion 34 so as to allow the power-receiving lines 46 to be routed in the direction that intersects with the pipe axis direction. Further, for example, when the power-receiving lines 46 are not required to be routed in the direction that intersects with the pipe axis direction, the extension pipe 30 is not required to include the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b.

(3) Problems that are solved by the extension pipe 30 according to this embodiment result from the current conducting portion provided to the vacuum cleaner main body that is likely to be gripped or touched by a user to generate static electricity. The problems include, for example, the need for attention to the arrangement of the current conducting portions and other members and the need for additional measures against static electricity. Meanwhile, the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 according to this embodiment can solve a problem completely different from the problems solved by the extension pipe 30 according to this embodiment. Specifically, in the vacuum cleaner system as disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the connection terminal is provided to the vacuum cleaner main body. Thus, it is required that the charging stand be designed so that the feeding terminal to be connected to the connection terminal is aligned in height with the connection terminal. As a result, there arises a problem in that the charging stand is increased in size.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem in that the charging stand is increased in size, the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 according to this embodiment includes: the vacuum cleaner main body 10 including the battery 17 a; the suction tool 70 having the suction port 73 for sucking dust; the extension pipe 30 described above; and the charging stand 90 including the third current conducting portion 98 and the charging mechanism 100 configured to charge the battery. The charging stand 90 includes: the placement portion 94 configured to allow the suction tool 70 to be placed thereon; and the support column portion 96 that is configured to support the extension pipe 30 and is to be engaged with the extension pipe 30. Under the state in which the support column portion 96 supports the extension pipe 30 and is engaged with the extension pipe 30, the third current conducting portion 98 and the second current conducting portion 44 are electrically connected to cause the charging mechanism 100 to feed electric power from the third current conducting portion 98 to the second current conducting portion 44 so as to charge the battery 17 a.

In the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 exemplified in this embodiment, when the extension pipe 30 is supported by and engaged with the support column portion 96 of the charging stand 90, the second current conducting portion 44 of the extension pipe 30 and the third current conducting portion 98 of the charging stand 90 are electrically connected to cause the charging mechanism 100 to perform power feeding so as to charge the battery 17 a. Thus, the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 according to this embodiment allows the third current conducting portion 98 to be provided to the charging stand 90 in alignment with the second current conducting portion 44 provided at a position lower than the vacuum cleaner main body 10. In this manner, the charging stand 90 can be reduced in size.

Further, the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 exemplified in this embodiment includes the extension pipe 30 described above. Thus, the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 described above can be electrically connected to the charging mechanism 100 at a position different from the vacuum cleaner main body 10 so as to charge the battery 17 a.

(4) The electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 according to this embodiment further includes the arrangement portion 40 configured to allow the second current conducting portion 44 to be arranged therein. The arrangement portion 40 forms the engagement structure to be engaged with the support column portion 96.

With the configuration described above, the second current conducting portion 44 can be reliably connected to the third current conducting portion 98 by the engagement structure including the arrangement portion 40 and the support column portion 96 so as to charge the battery 17 a.

In this embodiment, there has been described an example (receiving portion 60) in which the arrangement portion 40 in which the second current conducting portion 44 is arranged is used as a configuration for achieving the engagement with the support column portion 96. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the receiving portion 60 may be eliminated from the arrangement portion 40 in which the second current conducting portion 44 is arranged, and one of the engagement structure for achieving the engagement with the support column portion 96 may be provided to the extension pipe 30. For example, an accommodating portion is provided so as to cover a part of the extension pipe 30 in a radial direction may be provided to the support column portion 96, and an engagement structure to be engaged with the extension pipe 30 in the radial direction may be provided to the accommodating portion. In this case, the third current conducting portion 98 to be connected to the second conducting portion 44 inside the arrangement portion 40 is provided to the accommodating portion.

Further, in this embodiment, there has been described an example in which the arrangement portion 40 in which the second current conducting portion 44 is arranged is provided. However, the second current conducting portion 44 may be arranged between the pipe portion 32 and the back-side cover portion 34 b. In such a case, the second current conducting portion 44 may be exposed through an outer surface of the back-side cover portion 34 b, or may have a terminal opening into which the third current conducting portion 98 is to be inserted.

(5) In the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 according to this embodiment, the arrangement portion 40 includes the receiving portion 60 having a hollow shape with the first opening portion 62 directed toward one side in the pipe axis direction, and the support column portion 96 has the first protruding portion 110 (protruding portion) to be inserted into the receiving portion 60 through the first opening portion 62.

With the configuration described above, when the extension pipe 30 is arranged relative to the support column portion 96 so that the first protruding portion 110 formed on the support column portion 96 is inserted into the receiving portion 60 that defines the arrangement portion 40 of the extension pipe 30, the extension pipe 30 can be engaged with the support column portion 96.

(6) In the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 according to this embodiment, the third current conducting portion 98 is provided to the first protruding portion 110.

With the configuration described above, when the extension pipe 30 is engaged with the support column portion 96, the second current conducting portion 44 located in the arrangement portion 40 and the third current conducting portion 98 can be connected to each other. As a result, work for connecting the second current conducting portion 44 and the third current conducting portion 98 can easily and reliably be performed.

(7) In the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 according to this embodiment, the receiving portion 60 has the second opening portion 64 on the side opposed to the support column portion 96, and the third current conducting portion 98 is connected to the second current conducting portion 44 through the second opening portion 64.

With the configuration described above, the second current conducting portion 44 and the third current conducting portion 98 can be connected to each other inside the receiving portion 60. As a result, safety of the work for connecting the second current conducting portion 44 and the third current conducting portion 98 can be further improved.

The above-mentioned configurations of the electric vacuum cleaner unit 1 and the extension pipe 30 correspond merely to one embodiment and modification examples of the present invention, and the configurations may be suitably changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the modification example described above, there has been described an example in which four protruding portions including the first protruding portion 110, the second protruding portions 112, the third protruding portion 114, and the fourth protruding portions 116 are provided as the engagement portion 104. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Any one or a plurality of the protruding portions (the second protruding portions 112, the third protruding portion 114, and the fourth protruding portions 116) other than the first protruding portion 110 may be omitted. For example, only the first protruding portion 110 may be provided.

Further, in the embodiment described above, there has been described an example in which male terminals and female terminals are used as the first current conducting portion 42, the second current conducting portion 44, the third current conducting portion 98, the fourth current conducting portion 52, and the fifth current conducting portion 54. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, some or all of the current conducting portions may be electrically conducted by bringing terminals made of metal into contact with each other or may be wirelessly electrically conductive. Further, publicly-known related-art jacks or plugs may be used as some or all of the current conducting portions. Specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 15 , a jack 44 x may be provided as the second current conducting portion 44, and a plug 98 x may be provided as the third current conducting portion 98. The plug 98 x is provided at a position that enables connection to the jack 44 x corresponding to the second current conducting portion 44 when the extension pipe 30 is engaged with the support column portion 96. Further, in the configuration as illustrated in FIG. 15 , the jack 44 x may be provided to the support column portion 96, and the plug 98 x may be provided to the extension pipe 30.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the following example has been described. Specifically, the first terminal portions 42 a and 42 b that form the first current conducting portion 42 and the fourth terminals 52 a and 52 b that form the fourth current conducting portion 52 are provided on another end side of the extension pipe 30 in the pipe axis direction. When a position in a circumferential direction of the pipe portion 30, which is located at an intersection with an imaginary cross section passing through the pipe axis, is defined as a reference position, the first terminal 42 a and the fourth terminal 52 a are arranged in this order on one side (one side in a direction that intersects with the pipe axis when viewed from the front-side cover portion 34 a) of the reference position. The fourth terminal 52 b and the first terminal 42 b are arranged in this order on another side (another side in the direction that intersects with the pipe axis when viewed from the front-side cover portion 34 a) of the reference position, which is opposite to one side of the reference position. However, the orders of arrangements are not limited to those described above. The first terminal 42 a and the fourth terminal 52 a are only required to be arranged on one side of the reference position, and the first terminal 42 b and the fourth terminal 52 b are only required to be arranged on another side of the reference position. The above-mentioned configuration is used to prevent short-circuiting between the terminals, which may occur when the terminals are curved or dust is accumulated between the terminals, as much as possible by separating the first terminal 42 a and the first terminal 42 b from each other and separating the fourth terminal 52 a and the fourth terminal 52 b from each other. A distance between the terminals can also be suitably changed. Besides, for example, a set of the first terminals 42 a and 42 b that form the first current conducting portion 42 may be arranged on one side of the reference position, and a set of the fourth terminals 52 a and 52 b that form the fourth current conducting portion 52 may be arranged on another side of the reference position.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the first current conducting portion 42, the fourth current conducting portion 52, and the fifth current conducting portion 54 are arranged on the front side of the pipe portion 32. However, the configuration of the current conducting portions is not limited to the configuration described above. Modification Examples 1 to 7 are conceivable by changing positions of the first current conducting portion 42, the fourth current conducting portion 52, and the fifth current conducting portion 54. Now, a configuration in which the first current conducting portion 42 and the fourth current conducting portion 52 are arranged on the front side of the pipe portion 32 on another end side in the pipe axis direction is referred to as a configuration A. A configuration in which one of the first current conducting portion 42 and the fourth current conducting portion 52 is arranged on the front side of the pipe portion 32 and another one is arranged on the back side of the pipe portion 32 on another end side in the pipe axis direction is referred to as a configuration B. A configuration in which the first current conducting portion 42 and the fourth current conducting portion 52 are arranged on the back side of the pipe portion 32 on another end side in the pipe axis direction is referred to as a configuration C. In the configurations A to C, when at least one of the first current conducting portion 42 or the fourth current conducting portion 52 is arranged on the back side of the pipe portion 32, back-side cover portions 34 b 1 to 34 b 6 are provided so that at least one of the power-feeding lines 56 or the power-receiving lines 46 are arranged between the back-side cover portions 34 b 1 to 34 b 6 and the pipe portion 32. A configuration in which the fifth current conducting portion 54 is arranged on the front side of the pipe portion 32 on one end side in the pipe axis direction is referred to as a configuration D. A configuration in which the fifth current conducting portion 54 is arranged on the back side of the pipe portion 32 on one end side in the pipe axis direction is referred to as a configuration E.

In Modification Example 1, an arrangement uses a combination of the configuration A and the configuration E. In this arrangement, the power-feeding lines 56 are required to be led from the front side to the back side of the pipe portion 32 together with the power-receiving lines 46 with use of the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b.

In Modification Examples 2 to 5, an arrangement uses a combination of the configuration B and the configurations D and E. In Modification Example 2 corresponding to a combination of the configuration B and the configuration D, in which the first current conducting portion 42 is arranged on the front side of the pipe portion 32 and the fourth current conducting portion 52 is arranged on the back side of the pipe portion 32, the back-side cover portion 34 b 1 that holds or covers the fourth current conducting portion 52 on the back side of the pipe portion 32 may be provided. The intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b are only required to be used so as to lead the power-feeding lines 56 from the back side of the pipe portion 32 to the front side.

Further, in Modification Example 3 corresponding to a combination of the configuration B and the configuration E, in which the first current conducting portion 42 is arranged on the front side of the pipe portion 32 and the fourth current conducting portion 52 is arranged on the back side of the pipe portion 32, the back-side cover portion 34 b 2 that holds or covers the fourth current conducting portion 52 and the fifth current conducting portion 54 on the back side of the pipe portion 32 may be provided.

Further, in Modification Example 4 corresponding to a combination of the configuration B and the configuration D, in which the fourth current conducting portion 52 is arranged on the front side of the pipe portion 32 and the first current conducting portion 42 is arranged on the back side of the pipe portion 32, the back-side cover portion 34 b 3 that holds or covers the first current conducting portion 42 on the back side of the pipe portion 32 may be provided. With this arrangement, the need to lead the power-receiving lines 46 from the front side to the back side of the pipe portion 32 is eliminated. Thus, the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b are not required.

Further, in Modification Example 5 corresponding to the combination of the configuration B and the configuration E, in which the fourth current conducting portion 52 is arranged on the front side of the pipe portion 32 and the first current conducting portion 42 is arranged on the back side of the pipe portion 32, the back-side cover portion 34 b 4 that holds or covers the first current conducting portion 42 on the back side of the pipe portion 32 may be provided. In this case, the need to lead the power-receiving lines 46 from the front side to the back side of the pipe portion 32 is eliminated. The power-feeding lines 56 are only required to be led from the front side to the back side of the pipe portion 32 with use of the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b.

In Modification Example 6, an arrangement uses a combination of the configuration C and the configuration D. With this arrangement, the back-side cover portion 34 b 5 that holds or covers the first current conducting portion 42 and the fourth current conducting portion 52 on the back side of the pipe portion 32 may be provided. In this case, the power-feeding lines 56 are only required to be led from the back side to the front side of the pipe portion 32 with use of the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b.

In Modification Example 7, an arrangement uses a combination of the configuration C and the configuration E. With this arrangement, instead of the front-side cover portion 34 a, the back-side cover portion 34 b 6 that holds or covers the first current conducting portion 42 and the fourth current conducting portion 52 on the back side of the pipe portion 32 may be provided. In this case, the intersecting-direction routing portions 33 b can be eliminated.

When the positions of the first current conducting portion 42, the fourth current conducting portion 46, and the fifth current conducting portion 54 are changed according to Modification Examples 1 to 7 from those in the embodiment, positions of the terminals of the vacuum cleaner main body 10 and the terminal 75 a of the suction tool 70 are only required to be changed accordingly.

The present invention is not limited to, for example, the embodiment or the modification examples described above. Other embodiments are possible based on the teaching and the spirit of the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims. The components of the embodiment described above may be suitably selected and used in combination. Suitable ones of the components of the embodiment and suitable ones of the components described in Means for Solving the Problem or components that embody suitable ones of the components described in Means for Solving the Problem may be used in suitable combination. Also for the combinations, the right is intended to be acquired, for example, in an amendment to or a divisional application of this application.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is suitably applicable to an extension pipe for an electric vacuum cleaner and all electric vacuum cleaner units including the same.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1: electric vacuum cleaner unit -   10: vacuum cleaner main body -   17 a: battery -   30: extension pipe -   32: pipe portion -   33 c: communication hole -   34: cover portion -   36: power-receiving portion -   40: arrangement portion -   42: first current conducting portion -   44: second current conducting portion -   46: power-receiving line -   60: receiving portion -   62: first opening portion -   64: second opening portion -   70: suction tool -   73: suction port -   90: charging stand -   94: placement portion -   96: support column portion -   98: third current conducting portion -   100: charging mechanism -   110: first protruding portion 

1. An extension pipe for an electric vacuum cleaner, the extension pipe being configured to allow a suction tool having a suction port for sucking dust to be connected to one end side in a pipe axis direction and a vacuum cleaner main body to be connected to another end side in the pipe axis direction, the extension pipe comprising: a power-receiving portion configured to receive and supply electric power to be fed to a battery provided to the vacuum cleaner main body, wherein the power-receiving portion includes: a first current conducting portion to be connected to the vacuum cleaner main body on the another end side in the pipe axis direction; a second current conducting portion provided closer to the one end side in the pipe axis direction than the first current conducting portion; and a power-receiving line configured to electrically connect the first current conducting portion and the second current conducting portion.
 2. The extension pipe for an electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising: a pipe portion configured to define an air passage; and a cover portion configured to define, in cooperation with the pipe portion, a space for arrangement of the power-receiving line.
 3. The extension pipe for an electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, further comprising communicating portions that communicate with each other in a direction that intersects with the pipe axis direction in the pipe portion, in the cover portion, or between the pipe portion and the cover portion, wherein the power-receiving line is routed through the communicating portions to electrically connect the first current conducting portion and the second current conducting portion.
 4. An electric vacuum cleaner unit, comprising: a vacuum cleaner main body including a battery; a suction tool having a suction port for sucking dust; the extension pipe of claim 1; and a charging stand including a third current conducting portion and a charging mechanism configured to charge the battery, wherein the charging stand includes: a placement portion configured to allow the suction tool to be placed thereon; and a support column portion that is configured to support the extension pipe and is to be engaged with the extension pipe, wherein, under a state in which the support column portion supports the extension pipe and is engaged with the extension pipe, the third current conducting portion and the second current conducting portion are electrically connected to cause the charging mechanism to feed electric power from the third current conducting portion to the second current conducting portion so as to charge the battery.
 5. The electric vacuum cleaner unit according to claim 4, further comprising an arrangement portion configured to allow the second current conducting portion to be arranged therein, wherein the arrangement portion forms an engagement structure to be engaged with the support column portion.
 6. The electric vacuum cleaner unit according to claim 5, wherein the arrangement portion includes a receiving portion having a hollow shape with a first opening portion directed toward one side in the pipe axis direction, and wherein the support column portion has a protruding portion to be inserted into the receiving portion through the first opening portion.
 7. The electric vacuum cleaner unit according to claim 6, wherein the third current conducting portion is provided to the protruding portion.
 8. The electric vacuum cleaner unit according to claim 7, wherein the receiving portion has a second opening portion on a side opposed to the support column portion, and wherein the third current conducting portion is connected to the second current conducting portion through the second opening portion. 